Rattler



J. M. HURST April 3, 1962 RATTLER Filed Sept. 1, 1959 Jess/e M. Hurst 1N VEN TOR. BY am, 15%

3,027,681 RATTLER Jessie M. Hurst, P.O. Box 564, Bay City, Tex. Filed Sept. 1, 1959, Ser. No. 837,380 1 Claim. (Cl. 46-117) The present invention generally relates to a childs rattler and more particularly to a rattler that is constructed in such a manner as to simulate a worm, the device being relatively simple in construction and easy to manufacture from conventional components assembled to be highly novel in its final construction.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a rattler for small children which will be entertaining and amusing and which is constructed of readily obtainable materials which cooperate to form a rattler in which the rattler elements are employed as components of a simulated worm.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a rattler in the form of a toy for small children or babies with the component parts being extremely simple and readily available and the method of assembly being such that one ordinarily skilled in the art of constructing devices or sewing can construct the toy once they have been provided with instructions.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the rattler of the present invention in the form of a toy simulated worm;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the toy rattler of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 33 of FIGURE 2 illustrating further structural details of the device; and

FIGURE 4 is a schematic view illustrating the manner in which the assembly threads are orientated for retaining the rattler in assembled relation.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral It? generally designates the rattler of the present invention which is constructed to simulate a toy worm and which includes an elongated cylindrical section of constant cross-sectional area together with a shorter tail cylindrical section of lesser cross-sectional area, there being attached depending leg portions of cylindrical configuration each having a bell attached to the lower end thereof and each end of the body having a bell attached thereto, the bells being of conventional construction and generally in the form of a hollow spherical member having a rattler therein so that when the hollow spherical housing is moved, the bell will be caused to jingle or ring.

The construction of the device includes a plurality of circular disks of felt material designated by the numeral 12 having one diameter and a plurality of disks designated by the numeral 14 having a smaller diameter and a plurality of circular disks having yet another smaller diameter. While the diameter and number of disks may vary, it has been found that 51 circular disks 12 of any color felt is preferable with the diameter being 1 /3 inches.

nited States Patent TC) There are 14 circular disks designated by the numeral 14 which are of any color felt and which are 1 inch in diameter. There are 12 circular disks 16 of any color felt each having a diameter of /2 inch. As stated, the number and size relationship of the disks may vary. There are also provided a single large bell 18 and five smaller bells 20 one of which is disposed at the bottom of each leg and one of which is disposed at the tail end of the device. There are also provided two strands of nylon fishing cord 8 inches in length and one strand of nylon fishing cord 3 inches in length, the fishing cord being designated by the numeral 22. A large needle (not shown) is supplied for assembling the device.

In forming the device of the present invention, the needle is threaded with the three inch fishing cord and sewed through the first of the disk 12 with a portion of the free ends extending thereabove and the free ends being provided with knots 24 which simulate the feelers or horns on a worm, this portion of the cord being designated by the numeral 26. The 8 inch nylon cord is then employed to sew on the large bell 18 in an angular manner to simulate a face and then the disks 12 and 14 are strung onto the cord in an obvious manner, being drawn close enough to be firm. One of the smaller bells 20 is then attached to the end of the cord with the free end of the cord doubling back and being tied off at 28 to maintain the firmness of the disks when they are drawn together. The second 8 inch nylon fishing cord is then employed for attachments to the cord 22, these attachments being generally V-shaped and designated by the numeral 30 and 32 which cords 30 and 32 extend through spaces formed between the disks 16 and have the terminal ends thereof connected to the small bells 20. Thus, with the present invention, a relatively simple construction has been provided by using simple procedural steps with the finished product being capable of flexing into a curved or serpentine shape and being extremely attractive due to the coloring of the felt which may be of different colors or closely simulating a worm and the bells will provide a highly novel rattler which will attract the attention of infants normally using rattlers.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

An amusement device in the form of a rattler and generally simulating a worm comprising an elongated substantially cylindrical body having the major portion thereof of constant cross-sectional area with a reduced cylindrical portion forming the rear end thereof, said body including a plurality of relatively thin circular disks of felt material, an elongated cord extending longitudinally through the center of the body, a bell anchored to the rear end of the cord and engaging the rearmost circular disk, a bell anchored to the front end of the cord and engaging the forwardmost disk and maintaining the disks in tight side-by-side relation whereby the body will be self-sustaining but capable of lateral deflection, the forward terminal end of the cord having a pair of upwardly and forwardly curved members thereon simulating the feelers of a Worm, a pair of forward legs and a pair of rear legs attached to said body, each leg member including a cord attached to the central body cord, said cords of each pair extending downwardly in diverging relation between 5 adjacent disks forming the body, a plurality of relatively thin circular disks of felt material mounted on the leg cord in engagement With the peripheral surface of the body, and a bell on the outer end of each leg cord for retaining the leg forming disks in assembled relation while 10 at the same time providing noise making means.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Sillman Aug. 6, 1907 Richter Jan. 28, 1930 Passarelli May 29, 1934 McMennamin Sept. 27, 1938 Adams Mar. 26, 1940 Murray et a1 Nov. 24, 1942 Bischoff Sept. 30, 1958 Malsed Dec. 2, 1958 

